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Below are the stories of four talented musicians, whose music
continues to inspire many people today.
Aretha Franklin
Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha Franklin was born in Tennessee, USA in 1942. Many people
think that Aretha is the greatest soul singer in the history of R
& B music. She first
began performing as a young child when she would play the piano
and sing with her father. Over her impressive career, she won 20
awards,
including one for lifetime achievement. Aretha used her fame to
raise awareness of causes that
were important to her, such as healthcare and the
environment.
Ella Fitzgerald was born in Virginia, USA in 1917. Her career
lasted for over 60 years. She was called the ‘First Lady of Jazz’
and people liked her fantastic voice. Ella wanted to be a dancer
when she was a child. When she was 17 years old, she panicked just
as she was about to dance on stage at a contest. She chose to sing
instead. She won first prize. During her career, she won 14 awards.
In 1966, she became the first woman to receive a lifetime
achievement award from a famous recording academy.
Influential MusiciansInfluential MusiciansInfluential
MusiciansInfluential Musicians
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Glossary
Stormzy
Bob Marley
Bob Marley was born on 6th February 1945 in Jamaica. He made
reggae music to tell stories and to spread messages of love around
the world. By performing his music, he encouraged people to stand
up for what they believed in. Many people today are inspired by the
words that he wrote. Bob Marley did not win any awards until a long
time after his music was made. He finally received a lifetime
achievement award in 2001.
R & B: Popular music with a soulful style.
grime: Popular music with a low bass line.
reggae:Popular music that includes elements of calypso and
rhythm and blues.
Stormzy was born on 26th July 1993. His real name is Michael
Omari and he is from Croydon, London. Stormzy is a rapper who makes
grime music. His first album was the first grime album to reach
number one in the British album chart.
Stormzy began his career by posting videos online. In 2019, he
helped two Black students to afford to attend university.He wanted
to remind young Black people that they could have the future that
they wanted.
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Questions1. Which musician was born in Jamaica? Tick one.
Aretha Franklin Ella Fitzgerald Bob Marley Stormzy
2. What is Stormzy’s real name? Tick one.
Michael Omari Michael Fitzgerald Robert Omari Michael
Franklin
3. Who did Aretha Franklin sing with when she was a child? Tick
one.
her mother Ella Fitzgerald Bob Marley her father
4. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order in which they
occur in the text.
Aretha Franklin first began performing as a young child. Many
people today are inspired by the words that he wrote. Ella wanted
to be a dancer when she was a child. He began his career by posting
videos online.
5. Fill in the missing words.
Ella Fitzgerald was born in , USA in .
6. Look at the section about Ella Fitzgerald. Find and copy a
word which means the same as wonderful.
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7. Explain why many people are inspired by Bob Marley’s
songs.
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Answers1. Which musician was born in Jamaica? Tick one.
Aretha Franklin Ella Fitzgerald Bob Marley Stormzy
2. What is Stormzy’s real name? Tick one.
Michael Omari Michael Fitzgerald Robert Omari Michael
Franklin
3. Who did Aretha Franklin sing with when she was a child? Tick
one.
her mother Ella Fitzgerald Bob Marley her father
4. Number the events from 1-4 to show the order in which they
occur in the text.
2 Aretha Franklin first began performing as a young child.3 Many
people today are inspired by the words that he wrote.1 Ella wanted
to be a dancer when she was a child.4 He began his career by
posting videos online.
5. Fill in the missing words.
Ella Fitzgerald was born in Virginia, USA in 1917.
6. Look at the section about Ella Fitzgerald. Find and copy a
word which means the same as wonderful.
fantastic
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7. Explain why many people are inspired by Bob Marley’s
songs.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: Many people are inspired by Bob
Marley’s songs because he wrote about love. He wanted people to
stand up for things that were important to them.
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Below are the stories of four talented musicians, whose
inspirational music continues to influence many people today.
Aretha Franklin
Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha Franklin was born in Tennessee, USA in 1942. Many people
think that she is the greatest soul singer
in the history of R & B music. Aretha first began performing
as a young child when she played the piano and sang with her
father. She was the
first woman to be asked to join the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
Throughout her incredible career, she won 20 awards, including one
for
lifetime achievement. Aretha used her fame to raise awareness of
many causes that were
important to her, including healthcare and the environment.
Ella Fitzgerald was born in Virginia, USA in 1917. She is a
musical legend who became known as the ‘First Lady of Jazz’. Her
career lasted for over 60 years and people loved to hear her
beautiful voice. As a child, she wanted to be a dancer. When she
was 17 years old, she panicked just as she was about to dance on
stage at a contest and chose to sing instead, winning first prize.
During her career, she was awarded with 14 awards, including one
for lifetime achievement. She was the first woman to achieve this
highly respected award.
Influential MusiciansInfluential MusiciansInfluential
MusiciansInfluential Musicians
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Bob Marley
Glossary
R & B: A kind of pop music with a soulful style.
grime: Popular music with a low bass line.
reggae:Popular music that includes elements of calypso and
rhythm and blues.
Stormzy was born on 26th July 1993 in Croydon, London and his
real name is Michael Omari. Stormzy is a rapper who makes grime
music. His first album was the first grime album to reach number
one in the British album chart.
Stormzy began his career by posting videos online. In 2019, he
provided funding for two Black students to attend a British
university. He said that he chose to support the students to remind
young Black people that they had the opportunity to study at some
of the best universities in the country.
Stormzy
Bob Marley was born on 6th February 1945 in Jamaica. He made
reggae music. This type of music was developed in
Jamaica. He used his music to tell stories and to challenge
opinions across the world. He spread the message of love among all
people and encouraged people to stand up for what they believed in.
Many people today are inspired by his songs. Interestingly, Bob
Marley did not win any awards until a long time after his music was
made. He finally received a lifetime achievement award in 2001.
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Questions1. What type of music did Ella Fitzgerald perform? Tick
one.
R & B reggae grime jazz
2. Bob Marley encouraged people to stand up for what they
believed in. What do you think this tells you about him? Tick
one.
that he was brave that he was a talented musician that he
enjoyed performing that he didn’t enjoy travelling
3. Tick one word which means the same as opportunity.
support chance recognition ability
4. Draw four lines and complete the sentences.
He spread the message of love among all people…
who makes grime music.
She was the first woman to…
she has won 20 awards including one for lifetime
achievement.
Over her impressive career…
and encouraged people to stand up for what they
believed in.
Stormzy is a rapper…achieve this highly respected award.
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5. How did Stormzy start his career?
6. Find and copy a sentence which shows that Bob Marley
influences many people.
7. Do you think that it was a good thing that Ella Fitzgerald
panicked when she was due to go on stage as a child? Explain your
reason.
8. Summarise in 25 words or fewer why Stormzy is
influential.
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Answers1. What type of music did Ella Fitzgerald perform? Tick
one.
R & B reggae grime jazz
2. Bob Marley encouraged people to stand up for what they
believed in. What do you think this tells you about him? Tick
one.
that he was brave that he was a talented musician that he
enjoyed performing that he didn’t enjoy travelling
3. Tick one word which means the same as opportunity.
support chance recognition ability
4. Draw four lines and complete the sentences.
He spread the message of love among all people…
who makes grime music.
She was the first woman to…
she has won 20 awards including one for lifetime
achievement.
Over her impressive career…
and encouraged people to stand up for what they
believed in.
Stormzy is a rapper…achieve this highly respected award.
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5. How did Stormzy start his career?
Stormzy started his career by posting videos online.
6. Find and copy a sentence which shows that Bob Marley
influences many people.
Many people today are inspired by his songs.
7. Do you think that it was a good thing that Ella Fitzgerald
panicked when she was due to go on stage as a child? Explain your
reason.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think it was a good thing that
Ella Fitzgerald panicked before she went on stage because it meant
that she sang. Ella became famous for her singing not her
dancing.
8. Summarise in 25 words or fewer why Stormzy is
influential.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: Stormzy is influential because
he has successfully made grime music more popular. He also
influences other people to follow their dreams.
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Ella Fitzgerald
Aretha Franklin
One of the bestselling jazz singers in history, Ella Fitzgerald
was born in Virginia, USA in 1917. She became known as the ‘First
Lady of Jazz’ because she was the first woman to perform
this type of music to a wide audience around the world. Her
career lasted for over 60 years and she was known for her beautiful
singing voice and ability to improvise with the music. As a child,
she wanted to be a dancer but she panicked when she was due to go
on stage at a contest and chose to sing instead. Amazingly, despite
the sudden
change, she won first prize. Throughout her career, she was
awarded with 14 awards, including one for lifetime achievement. She
was the first woman to achieve this highly respected award.
Aretha Franklin was born in Tennessee, USA in 1942. Many people
claim that Aretha is the greatest soul singer in the history of R
& B music. She is known around the world as the ‘Queen of
Soul’. Aretha Franklin first began performing as a child. Her
talent became obvious at a young age when she taught herself to
play the piano. Aretha was the first woman to be asked to join the
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame to recognise her successes in the music
industry. She won 20 awards, including one for lifetime
achievement. Aretha used her fame and influence to raise awareness
of important causes, such as improving healthcare and the
environment.
Influential MusiciansInfluential MusiciansInfluential
MusiciansInfluential MusiciansBelow are the stories of four
talented musicians, whose inspirational music continues to
influence
many people today.
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Stormzy
Robert Nesta Marley, known as Bob, was born on 6th February 1945
in Jamaica. He made reggae music, which is a type of
music developed in Jamaica in the 1960s. Bob Marley used his
music to tell stories and to challenge opinions across the world.
He spread the message of love and unity among all people,
encouraging people to stand up for what they believed in. Many
people today are inspired by the lyrics in his songs.
Interestingly, Bob did not win any awards until a long time after
his music was made. He finally received a lifetime achievement
award in 2001.
Bob Marley
R & B: Popular music with a soulful style.
grime: Popular music with a low bass line.
reggae:Popular music that includes elements of calypso and
rhythm and blues.
Stormzy, or Michael Omari, was born on 26th July 1993 in
Croydon, London. He is a British rapper who makes grime music. His
debut album was the first grime album to make it to number one in
the British album chart. In 2018, he also won British album of the
year at an awards ceremony.
Stormzy began his by career posting videos online. In 2019,
Stormzy provided funding for two Black students to attend a
prestigious British university. He said that he chose to support
the students to remind young Black people that the opportunity to
study at some of the best universities in the country was available
to them and that they too could achieve their dreams.
Influential Musicians
Glossary
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Questions1. Draw four lines and complete the sentences.
Interestingly, Bob Marley did not win any awards…
she won first prize.
Many people claim that Aretha…
two Black students to attend a prestigious British
university.
In 2019, Stormzy provided funding for…
until a long time after his music was made.
Amazingly, despite the sudden change,…
is the greatest soul singer in the history of
R & B music.
2. He spread the message of love among all people. What do you
think this tells you about Bob Marley? Tick two.
that he liked making music so that he could travel that he liked
spreading messages to make money that he was a kind person that he
encouraged people to treat each other well
3. What is Aretha Franklin known around the world as?
4. Look at the section about Stormzy. Find and copy a word which
means the same as well thought of.
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5. One of the bestselling jazz singers in history… What does the
word bestselling tell us about Ella Fitzgerald?
6. Who do you think that Stormzy might help next? Explain your
reason.
7. Compare the stories of Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald.
What are the similarities and differences?
8. Choose one of the four musicians in the text and explain why
they continue to inspire people today.
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Answers1. Draw four lines and complete the sentences.
Interestingly, Bob Marley did not win any awards…
she won first prize.
Many people claim that Aretha…
two Black students to attend a prestigious British
university.
In 2019, Stormzy provided funding for…
until a long time after his music was made.
Amazingly, despite the sudden change,…
is the greatest soul singer in the history of
R & B music.
2. He spread the message of love among all people. What do you
think this tells you about Bob Marley? Tick two.
that he liked making music so that he could travel that he liked
spreading messages to make money that he was a kind person that he
encouraged people to treat each other well
3. What is Aretha Franklin known around the world as?
Aretha Franklin is known around the world as the ‘Queen of
Soul’.
4. Look at the section about Stormzy. Find and copy a word which
means the same as well thought of.
prestigious
5. One of the bestselling jazz singers in history… What does the
word bestselling tell us about Ella Fitzgerald?
The word bestselling tells us that Ella sold more recordings
than other jazz musicians.
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6. Who do you think that Stormzy might help next? Explain your
reason.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: I think that Stormzy might
support Black children who want to go to music and drama school
because he wants to encourage young Black people to achieve great
things.
7. Compare the stories of Aretha Franklin and Ella Fitzgerald.
What are the similarities and differences?
Pupils’ own responses, such as: Aretha Franklin and Ella
Fitzgerald were both very successful and had careers that lasted
for many years. They won many awards and were known worldwide.
However, Aretha Franklin was known as the ‘Queen of Soul’ while
Ella Fitzgerald was a bestselling jazz singer.
8. Choose one of the four musicians in the text and explain why
they continue to inspire people today.
Pupils’ own responses, such as: Ella Fitzgerald is an
inspiration because she is one of the most successful jazz singers
in history and the first woman to perform jazz to a large audience.
She continued to perform for many years and was able to improvise
with music, winning many awards for her contributions to the music
industry.
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